Royal Mail will add more than 2,000 electric vans to its fleet over the next year as it continues with its ambition to be net zero by 2040.

The 2,100 vehicles will be the first to include the King’s cruciform and livery and will be rolled out from August across the country.

It plans for more than half to be out working by Christmas.

The postal company already has the largest electric fleet in the UK and the new additions will increase its total to 7,100.

Most of the vans will be charged on-site at Royal Mail’s delivery offices via a 100% renewable electricity supply. When all the new electric vans are in use, they are expected to reduce Royal Mail’s total emissions by around 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

Jenny Hall, director of corporate affairs at Royal Mail, said: “We are proud to take another big step towards our target to be net zero by 2040.

“Electric vehicles provide a wide range of benefits, reducing noise and air pollution in local communities as well as reducing our impact on the environment. We want as many customers as possible can benefit from zero-emission deliveries to their doorstep.”

Royal Mail has also introduced hydrotreated vegetable oil to fuel its HGV fleet and it has already saved more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

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